PEEKER

How to preview files on Mac without opening them

Previewing is most useful when names are similar, versions are close together, or opening the wrong file would add another app and window to the task.

To preview a file on Mac without opening its editor, select it and press Space for Quick Look. Peeker keeps the same Space-bar habit inside its panel: images and PDFs support zoom, videos use native playback controls, and other supported formats use Quick Look.

How to use this workflow

  1. 1

    Select a file

    Choose a recent file or an item in a saved folder view.

  2. 2

    Press Space

    Peeker opens its embedded preview for supported file types.

  3. 3

    Inspect the content

    Pinch or scroll to zoom images and PDFs; use native controls for supported video.

  4. 4

    Close or act

    Press Space again to close, or copy, drag, share, reveal, Shelf, pin, or open the file.

Which preview surface does Peeker use?

Peeker uses purpose-built native macOS surfaces: an image viewer for zoomable images, PDFKit for PDFs, AVKit for videos, and Quick Look for other supported formats.

Why preview before opening?

A preview confirms content while preserving the current app and window arrangement. After verification, you can take the file action directly from Peeker.

Frequently asked questions

Is Peeker preview the same as opening the file?+

No. Preview lets you inspect supported content without launching the file’s editing app.

Can I zoom a PDF in Peeker?+

Yes. Image and PDF previews support trackpad pinch and scrolling to zoom.

Do videos start playing automatically?+

No. Supported videos use native playback controls and do not start automatically.

Sources and further reading

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